Eric Bledsoe To Lakers in Potential Sign-and-Trade Deal; Rondo To Rockets Re-Emerges

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly brewing a sign-and-trade deal for restricted free-agent point guard Eric Bledsoe, multiple sources reported on Tuesday.

According to AZ Sports broadcaster Jon Bloom, the Lakers front office is pushing for a blockbuster deal that would see no.7 overall pick Julious Randle, Jordan Hill and a first-round pick (acquired from the Rockets in the Jeremy Lin trade) going to the Phoenix Suns for Bledsoe.

"My source in L.A. is pushing Lakers to offer Julius Randle, Jordan Hill & 1st Rd Pick from Lin deal in sign & trade for Bledsoe," Bloom posted on his Twitter account.

The Suns stressed their desire to keep Bledsoe, who averaged 17.7 points, 5.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game in breakout year last season, but their contract negotiation hasn't gained any good development as of late.

The 24-year old Bledsoe is reportedly asking a max contract worth roughly $80 million over five years, while the historically skimpy Suns offered a four-year, $45 million deal.

With the Lakers so desperately needing a All-Star caliber player alongside Kobe Bryant, the team's front office are reportedly pushing hard to make the sign-and-trade happen, despite the fact that it would prevent them from making a big splash in next year's free-agency.

They viewed Bledsoe as an All-Star talent that could help the franchise make a smooth transition after Bryant hangs up his jersey for good.

Also Read: Lakers' Jeremy Lin Brimming With All-Star Potential

Rockets Revives Interest for Rondo

The Houston Rockets have revived their interest for Boston Celtics playmaker Rajon Rondo after failing to bring an elite All-Star this offseason, a source close to situation reported last week.

The Rockets, who lost Jeremy Lin, Omer Asik and Chandler Parsons in a series of moves to clear cap space to accommodate a max contract, missed out on signing Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh.

They were able to nab veteran small forward Trevor Ariza but their roster appeared gutted out because of their offseason deals. Still, many insiders are expecting Rockets general manager Daryl Morey to come up with a trade that would catapult them back to contention. And that trade could be for Rondo, whom the Rockets have been hot after since last season.

Coming off a torn ACL injury, Rondo managed to put up credible numbers by averaging 11.7 points, 9.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game for the Celtics.

The Rockets were hoping a package built around youngsters Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejunas would be enough for the Celtics to let their All-Star point guard walk away.

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